The Dark Side of Community: Moralistic Homicide and Strong Social Ties

Contrary to common belief, strong communities do not necessarily enjoy low rates of violence. Applying Baumgartner's (1988) thesis that confrontational forms of conflict management tend to be found where social interaction is intense, this paper argues that conflict-related or “moralistic” homicide is associated with several of the defining characteristics of community. Thus, a considerable amount of evidence, modern and pre-modern, suggests that moralistic homicide flourishes under conditions of proximity, sociability, immobility, publicity and loyalty.